Exploring parents’ experiences of living with a young person between the ages of 18–35 who is a substance abuser

Abstract

Substance abuse is increasingly recognised as a serious global public health concern, affecting societies and families in South Africa and around the world. This study delves into the experiences of parents living with a young person, aged 18-35, who is a substance abuser in the rural Kannaland region of Western Cape, South Africa. Parents play a pivotal role in their children's lives and are expected to exert a significant influence over them. However, existing research in the field of substance abuse often focuses solely on the individual struggling with addiction. This narrow focus is problematic because it overlooks the profound impact substance abuse has on the family.